Archives for September, 2025

Thai parliament to vote on new PM, as Thaksin jets off amid chaos

Reuters

Thailand's Thaksin Shinawatra faces a political reckoning as Pheu Thai reels

Reuters

Explainer-Horse-trading and dealmaking: How will Thailand's PM vote play out?

Reuters

Interview

Palestinian FM: US visa bans will not derail statehood drive

Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian took time during a visit to Cairo on Sept. 4 to speak with Al-Monitor about the US' barring of President Mahmoud Abbas and other officials from the UN General Assembly, Israeli annexation threats in the West Bank and more.

Varsen Aghabekian

Palestinian Foreign Minister

US imposes sanctions on Palestinians who asked for Israel war crimes probe

Reuters

Israel military says controls 40 percent of Gaza City

Agence France-Presse

Senate bill threatens funds for US-Iraq military coordination amid troop drawdown

A new measure could sharply limit funding for key US diplomatic office that manages the flow of Washington’s support for the Iraqi Armed Forces if Baghdad does not crack down on Iran-aligned militias.

United States

Analysis

Old sanctions, new risks: Iran’s economy hampered by war fallout, China reliance

Europe’s move to revive UN sanctions against Iran comes amid growing economic strain for a country already buckling under war damage, domestic crises and a plunging currency.

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

US has told other countries Palestinian recognition will create more problems-Rubio

Reuters

Senior EU official says Israel's war in Gaza is genocide

Reuters

Sudan rescuers pull 370 bodies from Darfur landslide

Agence France-Presse

Analysis

Turkey's Steel Dome air defense system: Game changer or work in progress?

The delivery of 47 domestically built air defense vehicles highlights Ankara’s deepening defense prowess, yet experts warn of production bottlenecks and integration challenges.

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Analysis

After setbacks in Syria and Turkish gains in Libya, Russia scrambles to retain Mediterranean sway

Moscow faces growing challenges coordinating in Libya and sustaining its regional presence after losing its key Syrian ally and confronting Ankara’s expanding influence.

By Anton Mardasov

Analysis

Trump squeezes Palestinian leadership as West Bank teeters

The Trump administration is escalating its pressure campaign against the Palestinian Authority as a wave of countries prepare to recognize a Palestinian state and Israel considers West Bank annexation.

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

From Milan to Dubai: Giorgio Armani's sprawling Middle East legacy

The Italian designer's eponymous brand has luxury real estate in the Gulf, as well as North Africa.

United Arab Emirates

UN body finds US and UAE responsible for Afghan refugee's arbitrary detention

Reuters